USC quarterback Matt Barkley, who announced Thursday that he would return for his senior season, revealed his initial plan was to leave for the NFL on the “Mason and Ireland” show on Friday.

"At first, I was pretty much positive that I was leaving right after the season because I was on such an emotional high," Barkley said on the show. "I figured I was going."

Matt Barkley admitted Friday that he initially planned to leave for the NFL. (AP Photo)

“But after looking over everything -- and we gathered every fact we could to help make the decision -- I ultimately knew in my heart that I was coming back to USC."

Barkley had a banner season in 2011, accumulating 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns and only seven interceptions during a year in which USC was not allowed to compete for a conference or national title because of NCAA sanctions.

Due to his success, Barkley was projected to be as high as the second quarterback taken and a top-10 pick if he chose to enter the NFL draft.

As quarterbacks Matt Leinart, Sam Bradford, Jake Locker and Andrew Luck have in the past, Barkley received criticism for returning to school and possibly losing out on millions of dollars.

"No one truly knows what I've been through and what the team's been through," Barkley told “Mason and Ireland” show. "It's so much more than just a check. I think the opportunity to come back and do something special at USC with the team that we have, but they don't know my situation.

"The money will be there."

Barkley’s family has financial security, putting him in a different position than many players who enter the draft early.

"He didn't want to be left looking back and saying what could have been," Barkley’s father, Les, said Thursday after the announcement.